I had a terrific time last week at SXSWedu, where I was a featured speaker in conversation with Jennifer Breheny Wallace, author of NYTimes bestseller “Never Enough: When Achievement Becomes Toxic and What We Can Do About It.”
A link to watch the conversation is here.
Our conversation on “Essential Skills for Cultivating Healthy Student Achievement” was masterfully moderated by Jean-Claude Brizard, CEO of Digital Promise Global and former CEO of Chicago Public Schools.
For me, being at SXSWedu was an opportunity to practice the four pillars in my latest book, Erasing the Finish Line.
SYSTEMS – Managing a conference schedule definitely requires organization, planning, and prioritization, and general executive functioning skills. There are so many events competing for attention, and staying focused while being open to spontaneous conversations and synchronicity is a wonderful gift.
CONNECTION – Being open and curious without a set agenda – and saying yes to invitations that seem interesting! – means you might end up having a meaningful conversation with a former NYC public schools chancellor, like I did.
PERSPECTIVE – I am a big believer in expanding perspective based on exposure and shared experiences, which is why I attended a few great panels and workshops on AI, learning and student engagement. I ended up sitting next to an AI strategist for the state of Michigan public schools, and found her insight fascinating.
ACCEPTANCE – I am an extroverted introvert, and after 20+ years of attending conferences I’ve accepted my own right mix of work, rest and movement. For me, work is attending sessions and having meetings – including three fun walking meetings for over 12 miles! Movement is working out every morning to clear my brain, and rest is making sure I have time for quiet reflection.
We are back in the office this week, catching up on work and meeting with students.
Here’s to a wonderful week leading up to Spring!
Warm wishes,
Ana
PS. Another link to the SXSWedu conversation.
Links of Interest:
Green Ivy College Advising – including Summer College Application Jumpstart for rising seniors
Teens are forgoing a classic rite of passage (Atlantic)
Now in college, luddite teens still don’t want your likes (NYTimes)
